Report: Marvel Eyeing Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Paul Rudd for ANT-MAN

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After finally recovering from the hilarious hangover of The World’s End, the internet rumor mill could at long last turn its attention back to trying to ferret out who will be donning the iconic insect-controlling cap for Edgar Wright’s Ant-Man, which he co-wrote with Attack the Block director Joe Cornish. After the Comic-Con test footage made its way past S.H.I.E.L.D. censors on to YouTube earlier this year, fans have been clamoring for more info about Wright’s Marvel-verse debut, and it appears that soon they’ll have their answer.

According to Variety, Marvel has set its sights on two actors in particular: Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Paul Rudd. Based on these choices, it appears the director wants less of a hulking action hero a la Chris Evans or Chris Hemsworth, opting instead for quippier, wise-cracking types… although, given JGL’s protein-packed physique in Don Jon, he can clearly beef up if the role demands it.

Sources have indicated that both the actors will meet once more with top-tier Marvel execs before a decision is reached. Word has it that there may be a third mystery actor in the mix, but smart money is on either JGL or Rudd going home with the prize. Considering Henry Pym/Ant-Man’s relative obscurity to the movie-going public, anchoring the film around an A-lister like Gordon-Levitt or Rudd makes total sense. They would offer up two very different takes on the troubled scientist, but in my heart of hearts, I’d be okay with either (but Rudd is my #1 from this casting pool). I’m still keeping my fingers crossed that Nick Frost will live up to his promise to me that he’d be playing the Mighty Thorax, though…

What do you make of this casting news? Who would you like to see play Pym? Let us know in the comments below or hit me up on Twitter!

I can’t see Rudd in the role at all. Even if the narcissism and domestic violence aren’t on the surface, that side of Pym is in the mix and should be. And I just don’t see Rudd handling that side of him well at all, or if I give him the benefit of the doubt, I’m not sure how seriously I could take him. Whereas JGL can really cover all the bases required of the role with relative ease.

JGL said on Stern that he’s not picking up the Bat mantle and didn’t even expect to after the last flick. He said it was a nice way to end the trilogy, like the Batman will live on, but never thought he would be the next Batman.

@ Cj, so far there isn’t any word of their even being a Nightwing/ continuation of the Nolan Batman storyline. It’s all been fan speculation due to the final moments of Dark Knight Rises, which necessarily doesn’t mean anything other than the fact that Nolan and Goyer wanted to make sure that even though they had the demise of the Batman, that there is still a caped crusader in Gotham to keep order.

So far the last thing on JGL’s IMDB page is the the next Sin City movie which after almost a 10 year wait since the original is in post-production and set to be out next year.

I thought Joseph Gordon-Levitt was already being prepped as Robin – Nightwing – 2nd Batman for DC (shrugs, so long as he’s not overused as an Actor by playing multiple characters for DC and MARVEL – ie Ryan Reynolds – because it just ruins it & yeah Ryan Reynolds gets on my nerves)!

I figured Joseph Gordon-Levitt would be on the short list and I also like the idea of Rudd, but I always thought Neil Patrick Harris would be a great choice for Hank Pym or Scott Lang, whichever way they chose to go.